City fire crews responding to 121 Victoria Street just before 1pm to smoke coming from the first floor of a two-story stone building.
Fire Chief Kevin Clifford tells CHSJ News the building has oil tanks in the basement and the thick black smoke rolling out is an indicator there is going to be ignition soon.
He says black, turbulent smoke is under pressure and under heat and it's a sign to them that its about to ignite.
Steve Doussaud and his family are thankful they were not home at the time.
He says it's probalbly deemed a little suspcious just with the rash of fires on Victoria street this summer.
No one was hurt and fire investigators are looking into the cause.